7/22/2019 Dhaka Tribune print edition: December 15, 2013

1/26

The number nowgoes up to 151nMohammad Zakaria

Amid the threat from the BNP-led

18-party alliance to resist the 10th par-

liamentary elections, more than 50%

candidates are set to be elected unop-

posed as there are no contenders in

their respective constituencies.

So far, 151 candidates are set to de-

clared elected unopposed for the 10th

parliamentary election slated for Janu-

ary 5, 2014.

However, the Election Commission

offi cials yest erday said the num ber of

candidates who are set to be elected un-

contested might increase. They said the

returning offi cers were supposed to pub-

lish notifications on Sunday declaring

PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

11 killed in political violenceJamaat-Shibir clash with AL men, police; Noors convoy attacked

nAshif Islam Shaon

At least 11 people were killed yesterday

in two separate incidents of clashes in

Noakhali and Nilphamari between Ja-

maat-Shibir activists, police and Awa-

mi League men.

More clashes, arson and attack on

lawmen and vandalism were reported

in many districts including the two as

the Jamaat-Shibir men resorted to vio-

lence to protest against the execution

of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.

In several districts, activists of Ja-

maats ally BNP joined the mayhem.

The Jamaat-e-Islami is enforcing a

countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal to-day to protest the execution.

In the capital, Shibir men torched a

bus at Jatrabari, tried to torch an Awa-

mi League o ffi ce in Jurain a nd blasted

several crude bombs in Maghbazar

area. Five people were detained in con-

nection with the incidents.

Police and witnesses said a fierce

clash took place between the Ja-

maat-Shibir activists and police at

Companiganj in Noakhali around3:30pm yesterday.

Five Shibir men were killed after

being hit by bullets and at least 40

sustained injuries. However, the local

Shibir unit claimed that the number

had been seven.

Witnesses said the Jamaat-Shibir

PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

16 pages with 8-page business tablo

Poush 1, 1420

Safar 11, 1435

Regd. No. DA 6238

Vol 1 No 261 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013 www.dhakatribune.com SECOND EDITION

BusinessB1Two commercial banks have

defaulted repayment of foreign loans

against letters of credit, creating a cause

of concern that Bangladeshs creditrating might deteriorate as well as the

LC confirmation cost would rise further.

News3 Prime Minister and Awami League

President Sheikh Hasina yesterday

said the election of huge number of

candidates uncontested would reduce

polls-related violence.

5 The war against narcotics has taken

on a new dimension in Chittagong

as police nabbed two families of

drug-peddlers in the past two weeks,

suggesting a new trend in the business

of drugs and organised crime.

Op-Ed11After the spectacular failures of

socialism and dictatorships, democracy

has been accepted as the most

desirable system throughout the world,

because democracy is peoples power.

It ensures mass participation

INSIDE

DAYSTO GO

1 13 Sport

We all be proHeman

7 PrescriptionHeart attack: Knowwhat youredealing with

Rawshan-led Jatiya Partyfaction to go to pollsnKamran Reza Chowdhury, Manik

Miazee andMohammad Zakaria

A number of leaders of the Jatiya Partyincluding chief HM Ershads wife Raw-

shan Ershad have announced that they

would contest the January 5 polls.

Presidium members Anisul Islam

Mahmud, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu,

Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Tajul Islam

and some other leaders are siding withRawshan.

The announcement came from Tajul

Islam after a meeting that lasted sev-

eral hours at Rawshans Gulshan res-

idence yesterday afternoon. Another

Presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid

also attended the meeting.

Those Jatiya Party candidates,

who have not withdrawn their nomi-

nation papers, are going to contest the

elections, Tajul told reporters around

4:30pm yesterday.

In a sudden reversal of decisions af-

ter having participated in the all par-

ty interim cabinet led by Prime Minis-

ter Sheikh Hasina, former military ruler

Ershad on December 3, decided to pull

out of the polls-time cabinet.

He said he and his party could not

run in the polls unless the participation

of all the political parties was ensured.

In an unexpected move on Thurs-

day, law enforcers picked up Ershad

from his Baridhara residence and took

him to the Combined Military Hospital.

They said they had only escorted himto the hospital because he was ill,

while Ershad said he was detained.

Jatiya Party insiders told the Dhaka

Tribune that the leaders had decided

to join the polls for saving their par-

ty chief. They said the Awami Leaguemight revive the corruption cases

against Ershad because of his decision

to pull out of the polls.

According t o the affi davit th at Er-

shad placed at the Election Commis-

sion last month, at least 12 corruption

and criminal cases against him are

awaiting disposal.

PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

Stray-bullet victimloses visionnMohammad Jamil KhanWill I ever see my daughter again, see

her dance, go to school and grow up?

It was more a passing remark of a soul

in torment than a question posed to

elicit specific words of assurance.

Amena Begum, who received rub-

ber-bullet injuries to her eyes during a

police-pickets clash, has only one wish

in her life seeing her daughter again,but little does she know that she might

lose her vision completely.

The stray bullet that struck her on

Friday damaged her eyesight badly and

doctors at the National Institute of Eye

Science and Hospital have already lost

hope on her left eye. The right eye was

operated on yesterday but stands little

chances of functioning again.

Prof Dr Din Mohammad Nurul

Haque, an eye specialist at the hospital,

told the Dhaka Tribune that nothing

could be said to be certain. We cannot

say anything before carrying out some

The 23-year-old woman was injuredin a crossfire when the activists of Ja-

maat-Shibir, in a forewarned reaction

to the execution of war crimes convict

Abdul Quader Molla, wrought havoc on

certain parts of the capital and clashed

with polic e offi cials as the latte r tried to

prevent them from doing so.

Amena, who hailed from Sundarganj

of Gaibandha, worked at a clothing fac-

tory in Malibagh at a monthly salary of

Tk4,500 and has a four-year-old daugh-

ter living with her in-laws in Khulna.

On that fateful day, she was going

back to work after lunch and struck by

a rubber bul let as she neared he r offi ce,

leaving her unconscious. She is now

worried about ever being able to see

her little child again.

I cannot even cry now; everything

about my eyes is so painful. I have

always struggled in my life to find

some comfort for my family, and now

people I even dont know about have

ruined my life for their own interest d

Pakistan recallsMollas loyaltyin 1971nTribune Report

The Pakistan government has ex-

pressed sympathy for Bangladesh Ja-maat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader

Molla, the first ever war criminal to be

excuted for committing crimes against

humanity during Bangladeshs Libera-

tion War in 1971.

Till the very end before the cre-

ation of Bangladesh, he [Molla] re-

mained supporter of a united Pakistanand today every Pakistani is saddened

and grieved on his death, Interior Min-

ister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said in a

statement on Friday, according to Paki-

stans influential daily the Dawn.

Quader Molla was undoubtedly

hanged because of his loyalty with Pa-

kistan in 1971, Nesar Ali said. But with

this unfortunate incident, an effort

is made to revive old wounds of the

past. In reality, whenever any country

regrettably falls victim to a civil war,

then all sides in the conflict resort to

violence.

PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

AH

ELECTI

Awami Leagu

Jatiya Party

Jatiya Samajt

Workers Par

Jatiya Party (

151 unopposed

Law enforcers spring into action after Jamaat-Shibir activists resort to mindless violence

in Noakhalis Kompaniganj yesterday FOCUSBANGLA

7/22/2019 Dhaka Tribune print edition: December 15, 2013

2/26

News2 DHAKA TRIBUNE Sunday, December 15, 2013

No legal bar to holdelections: Abu HafiznMohammad Zakaria

Election Commissioner Mohammad

Abu Hafiz stressed that there was no

major legal complication that could

halt the process of holding the January

5 parliamentary elections.No such legal complexities exist.

The elections will be held in time and

in a fair manner, he told reporters at

the Election Commission Secretariat

yesterday.

Reflecting on the debate surround-

ing the validity of polls on the sched-

uled date, he said, The question ofvalidity cannot be raised before the

elections are held and reviewed first.

That said, I do hope the elections

will be accepted by all. It is the duty of

the law enforcement agencies to main-

tain an election-friendly environment

so that voters can exercise their fran-

chise without fear or under compul-

sion.

He, however, declined to comment

on the controversy over the alleged

detention of Jatiya Party chief HM

Ershad.l

Shafi clarifiespostponing hartal

nTushar Hayat, Chittagong

Shah Ahmed Shafi, ameer of Islamist

group Hefazat-e-Islam, yesterday said

they had postponed the dawn-to-dusk

hartal in Chittagong slated for today

fearing police action.

We became concerned over the se-curity of the leaders, activists and sup-

porters of the organisation and their

property, he said in a statement issued

late Friday. The death toll was rising day

by day due to the firing and attacks of the

law enforcement agencies and in this sit-

uation, postponing the hartal was a dif-

ferent sort of protest, Shafi said. l

The number now goes up to 151PAGE 1 COLUMN 5the lone candidates elected unoffi cially

across the country.

The candidates elected unopposed

is going to be a record in the upcoming

election as the previous highest was in

the controversial February 15 election

i 6 h did l

there were 1192 candidates.

In the second general elections in

1979 a total of 2547 candidates partic-

ipated in the elections while 11 were

elected uncontested.

In the first parliamentary election in

1973, 11 Awami league candidates were

l d d

Mohammad Nasim (Sirajganj-1), Habib-

e-Millat (Sirajganj-2), Ishaque Hossain

Talukder (Sirajganj-3), Tanvir Imam

(Sirajganj-4), Hasibur Rahman Swapan

(Sirajganj-6), Khandkar Azizul Haque

Arzu (Pabna-2), Shamsur Rahman Shar-

if (Pabna-4), Golam Faruk Khandkar

P i (P b ) Sh ikh Afil Uddi (J

ingh-9), Rebeca Momen (Netrakona-4),

Wareshat Hossain Belal (Netrakona-5),

Syed Ashraful Islam (Kishoreganj-1),

Sohrab Uddin (Kishoreganj-2), Redwan

Ahmed Tawfik (Kishoreganj-4), Afzal

Hossain (Kishoreganj-5), Nazmul Hasan

(Kishoreganj-6), Momtaz Begum (Man-

ik j ) J hid M l k (M ik j )

jahan Khan (Madaripur-2), AFM Baha-

uddin Nasim (Madaripur-3), BM Mo-

zammel Haque (Shariatpur-1), Shawkat

Ali (Shariatpur-2), Nahim Razzak (Sha-

riatpur-3), Suranjit Sengupta (Suna-

mganj-2), AMA Muhith (Sylhet-1), Mah-

mudus Samad Chowdhury (Sylhet-3),

N l I l N hid (S lh t 6) S d

Ashekullah Rafik (Cox

Saimum Sarwar Kamal (

The 18 Jatiya Party

be elected uncontested

Ershad (Mymensingh-4

Chowdhury (Kurigram-2

Islam (Kurigram-3), Shar

(B ) N lI l T l

11 killed in political violencePAGE 1 COLUMN 2men brought out a procession near Ba-

surhat High School around 3pm. Police

barred them as they paraded across the

upazilas server station.

The marauding men vandalised

roadside shops and torched several

buildings. At one stage, both police and

Shibir engaged in a gunfight resulting

in the deaths and injuries.

The deceased are Matiur Rahman,

15, Saiful Islam, 22, Rayhan, 22, Russel,

32, Saiful, and Abdus Sattar, 30, said

district Police Superintendent Md Ani-

sur Rahman. Five people were arrested

during the clash, he said.

Upazila Nirbahi Offi cer Md Nuru z-

zaman said the Jamaat-Shibir men had

torched th e offi ces of Pa lli Unyaya n

Academy, land, family planning, and

Ansar and VDP.

Later, local people said unidentified

miscreants had set fire to a Jamaat-op-

erated school around 5:30pm.

In Nilphamari, BNP and Jamaat

men attacked the motorcade of Awa-

mi League lawmaker and noted actor

Asaduzzaman Noor at Ramganj Bazar

of the district headquarters Tupamari.

Noor was unhurt but more than 150 of

Awami League men were injured.

Following the attack, a clash en-sued that left at least five people dead.

They are Krishak Leagues union unit

President Khorshed Alam Chowdhury,

55, Abu Bakar Siddique, 42, Forkan

Hossain, 25, Murad Hossain, 20, and

Khairat Hossain.

Jamaat claims that Abu Bakar and

Khairat are its members.

During the clashes, the Jamaat-Shi-

bir men had torched at least 50 motor-cycles, six jeeps and three microbuses.

In Pabna, miscreants torched the res-

idence of State Minister for Home Sham-

sul Haque Tuku by hurling petrol bomb

in the morning. They also set fire to the

house of freedom fighter Baby Islam.

In Sirajganj, supporters of Ja-

maat-Shibir vandalised an idol at a

Hindu temple at Sayedabad union. A

union-l evel offi ce of the ruli ng party

was torched in Bagerhat.

In Narayanganj, Shibir men torched

two police outposts belonging to Cha-

shara and Hajiganj police stations. An

apartment in Chashara was also bad-

ly burnt as they hurled three petrol

bombs from a rally around 3pm.

Police picked up four Jamaat-Shibir

men from Chashara. Later, the activists

damaged several vehicles in the town.

In Satkhira, at least 30 Jamaat men

allegedly attacked the houses of nine

local Awami League leaders on Friday

night. They also set fire to several shops

owned by a local Jubo League leader at

Nawabeki Bazar in Shyamnagar around

10:30pm.

In Jhalakathi, miscreants set a BRTC

bus on fire in Brac intersection area

on Khulna-Barisal highway around

5:45pm.

The Jamaat-Shibir men blasted

crude bombs at different points in Chit-

tagong City including Shah Amanat In-

ternational Airport to create panic last

night ahead of its countrywide shut-

down for today.

OC Md Sahabuddin of Patenga po-

lice station said the car of Maj Gen Md

Abdus Salam Khan, chairman of Tea

Board, had been damaged because

of the blast at the car parking place in

front of the airport around 8:30pm. l

Pakistan recalls Mollas loyalty in 1971PAGE 1 COLUMN 1Jamaat Assistant Secretary General

Quader Molla, well-known as Mirpur-

er Koshai (Butcher of Mirpur), was

executed on Thursday, after nearly 42

years of bloodstained independence.

The Pakistan foreign ministry in a

statement issued on Friday said: While

it is not Pakistans policy to interfere in

the affairs of any country, we have noted

the concerns raised by the international

community and human rights organisa-tions on the way recent trials have been

conducted which have added to the cur-

rent instability in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Jamaat lead-

er at the National Assembly Sahibza-

da Tariqullah the same day asked the

House to pass a condemnatory resolu-

tion and adjourn the session for the day

in memory of Quader Molla.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq gave timeuntil Monday to Inter-Provincial Coor-

dination Minister Riaz Hussain Pirza-

da, when Tariqullah sought opinion of

the foreign ministry and other political

parties about the execution.

In the statement, Interior Minister Ni-

sar Ali said the Bangladesh government

should have considered the greater na-

tional interest and shown farsighted-

ness and goodness instead.

He said it was necessary for peace

and brotherhood that strategy of tol-

erating each other should be adopted

in the larger national interest. It would

have been better if the Bangladeshi

government had shown farsighted-

ness, bigheartedness and magnanimity

instead of opening old wounds.

Soon after the execution on Thurs-

day, the offi cial Fac ebook p age of Pa-

kistan Jamaat said it just got one more

Shaheed (martyr) in the form of Quader

Molla.

Earlier, when Jamaat guru Ghulam

Azam was sentenced to 90 years im-

prisonment, Pakistan Jamaat stated on

its website: Chief of our Bangladesh

branch has been punished.

After the Appellate Division of the

Supreme Court overruled the tribunals

life-term sentence for Quader Molla on

September 17, Pakistan Jamaat chief

Syed Munawar Hasan said the verdict

had been a ploy of Sheikh Hasinas

administration to remove pro-Pakistan

politicians from its path in order to avert

a clear defeat in the next elections.

He also said it was most unfortu-

nate that the Pakistan government, in-

stead of raising a voice against the ex-

cesses of the Hasina administration

against pro-Pakistan parties, called it

an internal affair of Bangladesh, thus

giving a licence to Bangladesh govern-

ment to continue the excesses.

Jamaat activists demonstrated on

the streets in Karachi protesting the jailterm while party chief Syed Munawar

Hasan in a Twitter message said: It is

tragic to know that the fake tribunal

has sentenced Prof Ghulam Azam for

90 years in prison without any legiti-

mate proof and reason.

Though the offenses amounted to

death penalty, the International Crimes

Tribunal gave Ghulam Azam, the chief

of erstwhile East Pakistan unit of Ja-

maat, jail sentence on July 15 consider-ing his age and ill health.

Neither the Pakistan government

nor the Bangladesh Jamaat has apolo-

gised for their role during Bangladeshs

War of Independence.

Syed Haider Farooq Maudoodi, a

son of Jamaat founder Syed Abul Ala

Maudoodi, while visiting Dhaka last

October, told the Dhaka Tribune in

an exclusive interview, that Jamaat in

Bangladesh and Pakistan, even after 42

years of Bangladeshs independence,

were just the left and right hands of

the same person, there is only one head

controlling the both. l

Rawshan-leJatiya PartyPAGE 1 COLUMN 3

In the meantime, Ers

brother and partys pre

GM Quader, Secretary

Amin Howlader and

Bobby Hajjaj have be

group that opposes join

Ershads special a

Hajjaj is the son of businBin Shamsher, who ca

inence during Ershad

1980s.

In a press conference

offi ce yesterday, Bobby

had been appointed the

person of the party by E

He told reporters th

and Ruhul Amin Howla

be leading the party in

shad.

Apparently indicatin

shan-led group, Bobby

what other people mig

had made it clear that J

not going to the polls

cumstances.

GM Quader told the

that he was worried abo

safety. I have passed

instructions to party le

contesting the polls; bu

have defied [his instru

told the Dhaka Tribune

So far I have not got

[from Ershad] about taagainst them [who ha

contest polls], he adde

Quader, the comme

Sheikh Hasinas cabine

candidates could vie in

not with the party symb

On the other hand,

Chunnu one of the lea

ed to join the polls told

bune: We are taking p

under Ershads leader

the Jatiya Party should

polls for ensuring his sa

I do not bother ev

leadership] take any

us], he said.

According to the Ele

sion, as of yesterday, a

cluding Ershad and Qua

Jatiya Party candidates

nomination papers.

At least 18 Jatiya Pa

have been elected unop

of this report at 9pm

commission yesterday

151 candidates were elcontested.l

Stray-bulletloses visionPAGE 1 COLUMN 3Mohammad Sumon, h

law, said the cost of the

bearing down on them

poor and totally unab

without any help from

first nights treatment

around Tk10,000.

Meanwhile, the cond

old schoolboy Shanto,

splinter injuries during

Fakirapool on the same

to be improving. Docto

surgery unit of Dhaka M

Hospital, where he is bei

he was in the process of

Dr Pijush Kanti Mitr

registrar with the unit, s

out of danger. There

lets inside his body and

those that can harm him

vanish within five years

During the series of

day between the unruly

maat-Shibir and police,

viduals were injured whvehicles damaged or tor

Worlds biggestBangladesh flagto be showcased

on Victory DaynAbu Bakar Siddique

It was a matter of pride and it also

brought one joy to be a part of the his-

tory, so said Masud Pavez, a cheerful

college student and volunteer, rehears-

ing the origination of the worlds big-

gest Bangladesh flag.

Like Masud, 20 of his other friends

joined the yesterdays countdown to

the auspicious making of such a flag

on December 16, the victory day for the

country, at the National Parade Ground.

All of them are young and exuber-

ant. The young chaps were in a state of

reverie that they were going to make

history.

We are really lucky as we got a

chance to join the squad, Masud said,

posing a question how many people

can get such an opportunity whiletalking to the Dhaka Tribune after the

rehearsal?

Robi Axiata Limited in partnership

with the Bangladesh Army successfully

concluded the dry run for creating the

biggest Bangladesh flag on the red let-

ter day of December 16.

Some 8,000 volunteers solely from

the armed forces took part in the prac-

tice session yesterday, the final count-

down before the Victory Day.

Thousands of schoolchildren and

general people, mostly youths and en-

thusiastic professionals, joined the re-

hearsal.

The programme will start at 10am

on the Victory Day with National An-

them to be sung by artiste Rezwana

Chowdhury Bonnya.

Around 12pm, volunteers mostly

students from different academic insti-tutions will form the human flag, fol-

lowing which Ayub Bachchu and Bappa

Mazumder will perform at a concert at

the National Parade Ground.

The main objective of this attempt

is not only to celebrate the Victory

Day but also show the world the inner

strength and unity of the people of

Bangladesh.

If the attempt is successful it will

be recorded in the Guinness Book of

World Records.

Earlier on October 21, 2012, the larg-

est national flag was created in Pakistan

with 24,200 participants attending the

Punjab Youth Festival at the National

Hockey Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.

A Guinness-accredited auditor will

be present to oversee the attempt in

Bangladesh. After successful comple-

tion of the event all relevant documents

and images will be sent to the Guinness

World Record committee for validation.

Around 10,000 spectators can col-

lect free tickets from any Robi Custom-

er Care centre. Around 1,200 ticketswill be available at the entrances of the

venue on the Victory Day.

Approximately 1,000 guests, celeb-

rities, sportspersons, educationists,

businesspersons and other noted indi-

viduals were being invited, said Ashi-

kur Rahman, manager, Media Relations

of Robi.

Members of the Bangladesh Navy,

BGB, Police, Ansar and Ari Force will

be deployed at the venue to strengthen

security. l

Jamaat-Shibir cadres torched the house o f a Rajshahi Awami League leader yesterday night DHAKA TRIBUNE

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News DHAKA TRIBUNE Sunday, December 15, 2013

EC allocateselection symbols340 candidatesscrappednMohammad Zakaria

The returning o ffi cers of the El ection

Commission yesterday allocated polls

symbols among the contesting candi-

dates in the ensuing 10th parliamenta-

ry polls slated for January 5 next year.

They allocated Jatiya Partys elec-

tion symbol Plough to Jatiya Party

candidates ignoring party Chairman

HM Ershads request for not allocating

the symbol to any candidate.

Awami League chief and Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina requested the

Election Commission to allocate boat

symbol to 10 candidates of its allies.

She made the request by submittinga letter on Friday to the Election Com-

mission to allocate boat symbol to its

nominated candidates in 10 parliamen-

tary constituencies.

The party urged to allocate the sym-

bol to four workers party candidates,

four Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad)

candidates and two Tarikat Federation

candidates.

According to the Representation of

the People Order (RPO), an application

should be made to EC within three days

of publication of the notification, for

allotting one prescribed symbol to the

candidates of a combination of two or

more registered political parties who

have agreed to set up joint candidates

for election.

Candidature of 328 out of 840, had

been withdrawn untill filing of this re-

port yesterday around 9:30pm.

A J i P di

Jamaat leader found deadin Lakshmipur; Rab blamednTribune Report

The nayeb-e-ameer (vice-president)

of Lakshmipur district unit of Ja-

maat-e-Islami was found dead early

yesterday following a combined raid by

Rab and police on his residence.

Family members of victim Fayez

Ahmed claimed that he had been shot

d d b h R b l O h h

his son as they were involved in recent

violence in the down.

The Jamaat leader, who is a doc-

tor, owns a private hospital where the

Jamaat-Shibir men injured in clashes

receive treatment. He financed the vi-

olence and led the marauding men. His

son Belal is a Shibir cadre, he said.

After we raided the house, Belal

fl d h h i d b h l hi

US congressmenurge AL, BNP tohold direct talks

nTribune Report

Six US Congress members have sent let-

ters to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia against the

backdrop of ongoing stalemate over the

arrangement of polls-time government.

The congressmen called upon the

leaders for a free and fair election.

Eli L E l Ed d R R S

Over 300 disappear, claims BNPnMohammad Al-Masum Molla

Main opposition BNP yesterday

claimed that more than 300 opposition

leaders and activists had gone missing

across the country allegedly from po-

lice custody in the last one month.

We want to tel l the high o ffi cials

concerned that in the last one month,

more than 300 leaders and activists

were arrested across the country by

people in plainclothes and those wear-

ing uniforms of Rab and DB. Later they

went missing, Standing Committee

member Nazrul Islam Khan said.

Addressing a press briefing at the

party cha irpersons Gul shan offi ce, he

also said: The people want to know

who controls this secret agency.

The BNP leader demanded that therepressive acts be stopped and the

missing persons be brought back to

their families immediately.

Nazrul said elite force Rab had been

formed in 2004 during the BNP-led

four-party government to maintain law

and order and to resist terrorism and

chaos; but the incumbent fascist gov-

ernment was usi ng this effi cient forc e

nakedly as a weapon to kill and abduct

opposition leaders and activists.

Asking the government to stop the

election drama, the BNP leader reiter-

ated the opposition alliances demandfor a non-partisan government to hold

free, fair and meaningful elections.

He alleged that the sequences of the

drama was becoming clear gradually as

already 142 had been elected uncontest-

ed and most of them were from the gov-

ernment alliance.

...after the public announcement of

election boycott by Jatiya Party, some

leaders including those who lost their de-

posit money earlier have already won the

polls. People of the country have never

witnessed such an unbelievable incident;

it is also rare in the world, he said.

The BNP policymaker also said if

the government wanted, many more

would be elected uncontested.

Nazrul claimed that even after pub-

lic announcement of withdrawal, nom-

ination of some leaders had not been

accepted while ministers remained in

offi ce despite declaring resignat ion.

Everything is possible here. There

is nothing to worry for those who are

yet to win. Everyones victory is en-

sured because the ruling Awami League

not only allocates seats for its party and

its alliance partners, but also for the so-

called opposition Jatiya Party.

Meanwhile, at a discussion to mark

the National Martyred Intellectuals

Day, the BNP leaders asked the govern-

ment to stop the one-sided elections.

The speakers said the spirit of Lib-

eration War had been to establish de-

mocracy in the country, but the Awami

League wanted to bury the democracy

by holding lopsided elections.

BNP leaders Hafizuddin Ahmed,Khandakar Mahbub Hossain, Shahja-

han Omar and former Dhaka University

vice-chancellor Emajuddin Ahmed ad-

dressed the discussion among others at

the National Press Club. l

People from all walks of life gather at the Rayer Bazar mass killing ground in the capital to mark the Martyred Intellectuals Day yesterday MAH

Huge unopposedgood for pollsatmosphere: Hasinan

Emran Hossain Shaikh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday

said the election of huge number of

candidates uncontested would reduce

polls-related violence.

Many people have raised question

why so many candidates were being

elected unopposed. Its aim was to

maintain a good atmosphere during

the elections. We have sought

understanding to prevent violence and

killings in the name of elections, she

said while addressing a programme at

the Agricultural Institution auditorium

in the capital marking Martyred

Intellectuals Day.

I want to set an example of

maintaining good atmosphere during

the elections, said Hasina, also the

ruling Awami League president.

The premier said she had urged

opposition leader Khaleda Zia to ensure

a friendly polls-time atmosphere.

But she [Khaleda Zia] has instead

aligned with Jamaat-Shibir and got

involved in violence and killings,

rejecting the polls, said Hasina.

In some of the constituencies, our

candidates withdrew their candidature,

as a sign of compromise for the parties,

who joined the [all-party] government.

That is why, in many constituencies

there was no need of any contests.

If the BNP could join the all-party

government in the name of democracy

and the constitution, we would have

done the same.

Hasina claimed that the opposition

leader had started a war against the

country and its people, in a bid to save

the war criminals.Warning the opposition leader of

consequences for violent activities,

the prime minister said: Stop killing

people in the name of movement. You

have killed a mother and her daughter

at the same time by burning them.

We will not sit idle and tolerate these

anymore.

She said the government had

showed enough patience. I ask you to

stop killing people or the government

will not sit idle. If you want to continue

with the anti-liberation forces, you

can; but stop killing. Otherwise, the

people know how to give a good reply,

they know how to win the battle.

Talking about the execution

of war criminal Abdul Quader

Molla, the premier said it was her

governments objective to hang

at least one of the war criminals,

ahead of observing the Martyred

Intellectuals Day. Now, the other war

criminals will also be punished one by

one , she said.

Regarding caretaker governmentissue, Hasina said as the court had

declared the provision illegal, I

phoned her [Khaleda] to start a new

beginning. Instead of accepting my

proposal, she started killing people.

The Awami League president

alleged that the BNP had refrained from

participating in the polls as Jamaat

would not be able to contest the polls

following a court verdict that declared

the registration of the party illegal.

Senior leaders including Amir

Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Matia

Chowdhury addressed the programme

with Presidium member Syeda Sajeda

Chowdhury in the chair.l

Rab questions Bobby HnTribune Report

Jatiya Party Chairman HM ErshadsSpecial Adviser Bobby Hajjaj was taken

to Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) head-

quarters for interrogation last night,

Rab sources said.

The elite force, during the interroga-

tion, enquired about his recent activi-

ties especially his roles as the spokes-

person of Ershad, sources added.

We wanted to know from Bobby

H jj j b h i i i d

fusion among people.

Hajjaj was neither in

arrested, Ziaul said add

released later.

Bobby Hajjaj, Ersh

brother GM Quader and

eral Ruhul Amin Howla

the party chairman wh

participate in the upcom

tary polls slated for Janu

Bobby Hajjaj is disc

ties as the chief of rese

i i f J i P

Law enforcers fail to prevent Jamaat-Shibi

violence despite intelligence reportsnRabiul Islam and

Mohammad Jamil Khan

Law enforcers failed to prevent Fri-

days massive violence in the capitals

Motijheel and its surrounding areas,

despite having prior intelligence re-

ports, sources have said.On conditio n of anonymity, offi cials

from several state-run intelligence

agencies said the law enforcers had

been warned that Jamaat-Shibir activ-

ists might carry out attacks following

the execution of their leader war crimi-

nal Quader Molla.

Intelligence reports had also sug-

gested that violence might be carried

out in areas near Paltan, Motijheel, and

Baitul Mukarram Mosque.

Law enforcers were kept on high

alert on the day after Mollas execu-

tion, with a huge number of personnel

deployed throughout the capital to en-

sure security.

However, despite all the beefed

up security, violence broke out after

Jumma prayers when hundreds of Ja-

maat-Shibir men torched vehicles and

vandalised street shops by using petrol

bombs and crude bombs near the Moti-

jheel Ideal School and College.

The violence soon spread to other

areas including Fakirapool, Kamalapur,

Malibagh and Paltan.

Witnesses claimed that during the

initial attack near the AGB colony, the

police personnel had to retreat and

wait for reinforcement, before being fi-

nally able to reach the scene when the

Jamaat-Shibir men had fled.

After the incident, Ashrafuzzam-

an, deputy commissioner of police of

Motijheel division, on Friday claimed

that they had so far arrested five peo-

ple regarding the violence. Howev-

er, the number of pickets and activ-

ists on the street was over hundreds.

The Dhaka Tribune tried to contact

over cell phone with Dhaka Metro-

politan Police Commissioner Benazir

Ahmed for comments, but he was un-

available.

However, home ministrys Addition-

al Secretary Mainuddin Khandaker said

Jamaat-Shibir carried out the violence

in a gueril la style whi ch was diffi cult

for law enforcers to understand. Theyalso came in a covered van, he said.

A day after the attack, the home

ministry held an emergency meeting

presided over by stat

home Shamsul Hoque

present at the meeting

ministry Senior Secreta

Inspector General of

Mahmud Khandaker,

Bangladesh Director

Gen Aziz Ahmed, RAB

al Mokhlesur Rahman aoffi cials.

None can foil the el

uled to be held on Jan

dulging in violence,

Dhaka Tri bune at his offi

ing a closed-door mee

three hours.

Law enforcement

been given highest dir

the law and order situa

trol, the state minister s

The government has showedenough patience. I ask youto stop killing people orthe government will not sitidle. If you want to continueyour alliance with the anti-liberation forces, you can, butstop killing

Rana Plaza victims shanded over to relatnTribune Report

A human skull and bones recovered

from the debris of multi-storey Rana

Plaza at Savar were handed over to the

relatives yesterday.

After the skull was found on Friday,

police sent it to Dhaka Medical College

Hospital.

Savar model police station confirmed

that the skull was of Obaidul, a sewing

operator of New Wave Bottom on the

third floor of Rana Plaza.

Obaidul came from Dakirkandavillage in Tarakanda upazila under

Mymensingh. He had

since the deadly co

building on April 24.

After failing to trac

his son, father Hafizur

a general diary with S

May 25.

Hafiz received the sku

On Friday, a skull an

body parts, an identity

were recovered from the

said Sub-Inspector ShahSome street boys wh

ing garbage there found

behind the collapsed bu

The identity card dis

name and his position a

On April 24, the

building at Savar B

leaving at least 1,131

scores injured while

people are still missing

Some street boys whilescavenging garbage at theRana Plaza site found theskull and bones

7/22/2019 Dhaka Tribune print edition: December 15, 2013

4/26

News4 DHAKA TRIBUNE Sunday, December 15, 2013

WEATHER

Dry weather likely

nUNB

Weather is likely to remain dry with

temporary partly cloudy sky over the

country until 6pm today.

Light to moderate fog might occur

over northern part of the country duringlate night until morning, Met Offi ce said.

Night temperature may fall by 1-2

degree Celisus and day temperature

may remain nearly unchanged over the

country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:14pm

today and rises at 6:34am tomorrow.

Countrys highest temperature 29.5

degree Celsius was recorded at Coxs

Bazar and lowest 10 6 degrees at Ish

MartyredIntellectualsDay observe

nSyed Samiul Bashe

The countrymen yeste

the Martyred Intellectu

manded that the two k

intellectuals killing be

war criminal Abdul QuaThe two are Chowdh

din and Ashrafuzzama

rated with the Pakist

army.

People demanded

terminds be brought b

their hideout abroad an

Thousands of peo

many wearing black rib

ing national flags visite

Intellectuals Memorial

and placed bouquets th

of the countrys great on

A visitor Murshidul

dent by profession was

his younger sister abou

the Liberation War.

Murshidul was desc

toric war portrayed at th

We are happy th

against Quader Molla but the key planners

als killing are still in

abroad, he said.Till afternoon, hund

were seen roaming ar

and enjoying the photo

there.

It took 42 years for

killers to justice. We

with the execution of on

we want it for all razaka

Mueen and Ashraf fo

lectuals and for attemp

the nation intellectua

nira Chowdhury Rima w

memorial with her hu

daughters.

On December 10 an

before th e dawn of Ba

stani occupation force

like Chowdhury Mue

Ashrafuzzaman abdu

deshs intellectuals, ki

tally and dumped their

places particularly in R

Mirpur.

Prof Munier ChowdhSelina Pervin, Dr Rabb

Haque Khan, Dr Md M

war Pasha are some of t

Like Rayerbazar me

martyred intellectuals,

was observed among p

ited the Martyred Intell

leum at Mirpur with di

and chanting slogans fo

of verdicts against war c

People of all ages w

placed wreaths to reme

fice of the countrys int

President Abdul

Minister Sheikh Hasin

tion leader Khaleda Zi

to the martyred intelle

ing wreaths at the Ma

morning.l

Clockwise from left:

President Abdul

Hamid and Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina,

opposition chief

Khaleda Zia, Projonmo

71, students and war

wounded freedom

fighters pay homage at

the Martyrs Mausoleum

at Mirpur yesterday

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Prof Anisuzzaman: No place forcommunal violence in BangladeshnMuktasree Chakma Sathi

Professor Emeritus of Dhaka Univer-

sity, Anisuzzaman yesterday called on

the government to take necessary steps

regarding the Jamaat-e-Islami, consid-

ering it as a terrorist organisation rather

than a democratic political party.

He was addressing a programmeorganised by a platform of progres-

sive and eminent citizens, Bangladesh

Rukhe Darao at the Central Shahid

Minar.

The court has cancelled Jamaats

registration. The Election Commission

said Jamaat as a party cannot take part

in the election. It is now easier to take

steps for banning Jamaats politics,

Anisuzzaman, later told the media.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor

Emeritus Anisuzzaman said the forces

He called upon the conscious people

of the country to stand beside those

who have become victims of a man-

made disaster that is going on in the

country because of the anti-liberation

forces.

Speakers at the programme said any

sort of communal violence should not

be tolerated in Bangladesh, which had

fought for its independence with the

dream of a just, equal and non-com-

munal country.

Echoing Anisuzzaman, Sarwar Ali, a

trustee of the Liberation War Museum

and rights activist Sultana Kamal also

reiterated the demand of banning all

sorts of communal parties, particularly

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

It was totally unacceptable that

communal violence was still present in

the country said the platform at a pro

wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, execute

verdicts of war crimes trials, resist re-

ligious intolerance, violence, and stand

by the side of victims, allow freedom of

thought and resist Talibanisation of the

country, and take the country forward

with the spirit of the Liberation War

and ensuring womens rights.

Rights activist Sultana Kamal said:

We took part in the Liberation War with

a dream of establishing a just and equalcountry, free from communal violence.

She said the dream which the free-

dom fighters had when they took part in

the Liberation War was yet to be fulfilled.

We will not stop until we establish

a just, and equal country free of com-

munal violence.

Liberation War Museum Trustee

Ziauddin Tariq Ali and Sarwar Ali, Sec-

retary General of Bangladesh Hindu

Special security ahead of Victory DaynKailash Sarkar

With the existing tension prevailing in

the country, special security plans have

been laid out ahead of the Victory Day

celebrations with focus on the Jatiyo

Sriti Shoudho in Savar and the move-

ment of the prime minister, said sourc-

es at concerned security agencies.

Intelligence sources said plain-

clothes personnel will remain vigi-

lant in a comparatively larger number

than in previous years, along with the

deployment of additional forces from

Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard

Bangladesh and other agencies.

Sources said more than 30,000 addi-

tional forces from different law enforce-

ment and intelligence agencies will remain

deployed for vigilance, patrolling and at

check-posts for security on Victory Day.

Security measures will also see

changes, as no parade will be held atthe National Parade Ground this year.

Sources in the police headquarters

said the highest security measures

have been taken centering the Jatiya

Sriti Shoudho, the routes to the memo-

rial and for the people who will visit

there to pay respect to the martyrs.

The routes of the prime ministers

movement on Victory Day have also

been given priority, considering the ex-

isting circumstances surrounding the

war crime trials and the political situa-

tion, the sources said.

Meanwhile, key points like shaheedminars, airports, railway stations, bus

and launch terminals, hospitals and

other points where a huge number of

people are expected to be gathered

would also be given extra importance.

According to the police headquar-

ters sources, security for the districtlevel will be maintained by the district

administrations, in collaboration with

the police, Rab, the BGB and other

forces.

The state minister for home, Sham-sul Haque Tuku, said security agencies

have been asked to remain alert for

the security and safety of the people,

so that the nation could enjoy smooth

Victory Day celebrations.

Wing Commander ATM Habibur

Rahman, director of Rab, said:

This year security plans have been

projected from a different angle,

considering the existing circumstances

centering the execution and trial of the

war criminals.

Although we have no specific in-

formation of any subversive attacks,

the security arrangements have been

made as cautionary measures consid-ering the apprehension of any such in-

cident, said the Rab director.

He said dog squads would sweep the

key installations and suspected places,

while security towers have been in-

stalled to continue watch over the ar-

eas.

Helicopters will remain both on

standby and hovering for security pur-

poses, the Rab director added.

Masudur Rahman, deputy

commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan

Police (DMPMedia), said for security

and discipline purposes, the DMP has

projected a special trafic plan for

the smooth movement of the mass

people, as well as the president and

the prime minister and other VVIPs

and VIPs. l

8,000 receiveskill apprenticecertificate from ILO

nTribune report

EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Wil-

liam Hanna yesterday handed over cer-

tificates to 8,000 people who recently

completed skilled apprenticeships.

The certificates were given under

the TVET Reform Project, supported by

the International Labour Organisation

and funded by the European Union.

Six thousand apprentices receive

the certificates in the leather sector

while 2,000 from trade, said a press

release.

Three years ago, there were only 98

apprentices registered under the Bu-

reau of Manpower, Employment and

Training (BMET).

The government supported by the

ILO and financed by the EU has been

working since 2008 to improve such skill

development system in Bangladesh.

Hanna and Srinivas Reddy, country

director of ILO, spoke on the ocassionamong others. l

Death annivof Quazi AzhnTribune Report

Today is the fourth dea

of Quazi Azher Ali, an ed

mer secretary of the g

founder president and

cellor of Bangladesh Un

Say no to violence

nAbu Hayat Mahmud

People of different professions yester-

day urged all to say no to violence

that has gripped the nation lately, and

demanded that the political parties

find a way to reconciliation to put an

end to it.

The call came from a human chain,

mainly organised by Managing Director

of Renata Syed S Kaiser Kabir, on the

citys Mirpur Road near the Manik MiahAvenue intersection yesterday.

More than 300 individuals of dif-

ferent professions, including the Dha-

ka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, and

Chairman Kazi Zahin Hasan joined the

human chain.

They said since the beginning of this

year, the political stalemate has para-

lysed Bangladesh. People were now

tainted with the fear of being burnt

alive.

They claimed, a petition for peace,

named by Amra Ek was being signed

7/22/2019 Dhaka Tribune print edition: December 15, 2013

5/26

News DHAKA TRIBUNE Sunday, December 15, 2013

Road accidents kill fournTribune Report

At least four people were killed in sep-

arate road crashes in Satkhira and Kha-

grachhari yesterday.

A primary school teacher was killed

in a road crash in Satkhira.

The deceased was Jesmin Khaled,

head mistress of Alipur Government

Primary School of Sadar Upazila, re-

ports our correspondent.

Offi cer-in- Charge Enamu l Haque ofSatkhira Sadar police station said she

died around noon as a truck collided

with the van she was riding.

Jesmin was returning from prima-

ry education offi ce to her school with

books for students. The dead body was

recovered and sent to Sadar Hospital

morgue for post mortem examination.

In Khagrachhari, three people were

killed as a truck collided head-on witha motorcycle at Natunpara in Matiran-

ga upazila, reports UNB.

The deceased were Alamgir Hos-

sain, 22, driver of the motorcycle,

which runs on hire, and its passen-

gers Rabiul Islam, 25, and Mohammad

Selim, 20.

Police recovered the bodies and sent

those to the hospital morgue. Police

detained the helper of the truck but

could not arrest the driver as he man-

aged to flee.l

Drug traffi cking families on the riseDealers use children and parents to rendezvous with addicts and sell narcoticsnTarek Mahmud, Chittagong

The war against narcotics has taken on

a new dimension in Chittagong as po-

lice nabbed two families of drug-ped-

dlers in the past two weeks, suggesting

a new trend in the business of drugs

and organised crime.

It has been learnt that a growing

number of drug dealers and peddlers

are using family members, including

children and parents, to rendezvous

with addicts and sell drugs in the be-

lief that doing so will strengthen their

network and increase reliability.

Sources at the Department of Nar-

cotics Control (DNC) said the number

of such families in the district was not

known yet but that it would be pretty

large, as a number of drug-peddlers ar-

rested in recent months had confessed

to involving their families in their

businesses.

Offi cials a t the detective b ranch of

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP)

arrested a member of one such family

with 40 litres of contraband liquor on

Sunday. Achia Begum, the arrestee,

had been conducting her business with

the help of her two sons for the last 10

years, said Babul Akhter, an additional

deputy commissioner with the branch.

The 56-year-old woman was ac-

cused in 11 drug-related cases, while

her two sons were accused in several

others.

Police, on November 25, arrested a

couple Manik, 38, and Aklima, 30

who had been selling cannabis for the

past two years. According to their con-fession, they would often use members

of their family to create and strengthen

their network and boost profits.

We arrested them several times

before, but they managed to come out

of jail every time by securing bail, each

time they reverted to their old ways,

said Babul.

He also said costs related to court

appearances had led some of the ar-

restees to resume their operations and

be arrested again subsequently. Achia

was arrested a total of five times; shecame out of jail after 5-6 days on ev-

ery occasion. She has to appear before

court 10 to 12 times a month and needs

Tk1,000-1,500 for each appearance.

Likewise, Aklima, who was arrest-

ed on 25 November, was arrested again

within a week of her release from jail.

The situation was further complicat-

ed by a loophole in the existing anti-nar-

cotics law which allows prosecution of

only the individuals found in possession

of contraband drugs and liquor, allow-

ing safe passage for those behind them.

Experts say such leniency only serves to

lift the morale of drug ringleaders.

Banaz Kumar Majumder, additional

commissioner for the crimes and oper-

ation division at the CMP, told the Dha-

ka Tribune that most of the drug-ped-

dlers came from low-income family

backgrounds and used their close rel-

atives in the manner. There is the

temptation of easy money but there are

dangers too. So they need people they

can trust.

According to sources, most of

the peddlers make their dens at: The

Barisal Colony near Chittagong Railway

Station, New Shahid Lane at Ispahani

Circle, Kadamtali, Madarbari, Bakalia,

Kotwali and the Scrap Colony of Panch-

laish. There are also many shanties

used as sales points for drugs.

The drug business has reportedly

boomed in the port city because of a

lack of vigilance on the part of the law

enforcement agencies, and a preva-

lence of drug consumption in recent

times. Dr Anupam Sen, vice-chancellor

of Premier University and a social sci-entist, said drug-peddling was differ-

ent from other illegal businesses. All

members of a family can become in-

volved with the business, if they want.

They are mostly illiterate and unaware

of the consequences that their actions

might cause.

He stressed the need for increased

awareness among the people about

the adverse effects of drug abuse and

trades.l

13 houses budown in Farid

nUNB, Faridpur

At least 13 houses were

fire broke out at Aurak

Bhanga upazila Friday a

Witnesses said the

from the kitchen of Tipu

village and soon engulf

joining houses in the are

On information, fire-the scene and doused th

The affected house o

that the extent of loss

could go up to Tk50 lakh

32 held whil

to India illegnUNB, Benapole

Members of Border Gu

(BGB) arrested 32 peopl

India illegally through P

in Benapole of Jessore y

The arrestees hailed

areas of Bagerhat, Faand Barisal districts.

Lt Col Sayed Majha

mander of 23 BGB, said

conducted a drive in B

of the border acting on

rested 11 men and 21 wo

were trying to enter the

without valid documen

Later, the arrestees

over to Benapole Port

was filed in this connec

Youth kills bnUNB, Shariatpur

A man allegedly killed h

following a dispute over

erchar in Naria upazila o

Police said the dead

aged around 25, had issu

han Kazi over the posse

of ancestral land. Wh

went to the land for cu

evening, Motaleb objec

Shahjahan hit Motaleb

spear, leaving him cri

Later Motaleb was take

pital where doctors decl

Police could not arre

he went into hiding afte

Vegetables run on waste on field, farmers counting lossnOur Correspondent, Narsingdi

Thousands of vegetable growers in

Narsingdi are frustrated and had to

accept financial loss as they cannot

sell vegetables because of continuous

blockades and general strikes imposed

b h BNP l d 8 lli

Farmers said in one hand they can-

not sell their products on time, on the

other hand they do not have any cold

storage facilities in the districts to pre-

serve these perishable vegetables.

Under these circumstances, thou-

sands of farmers have been selling their

d i h l h h

ades and nationwide general strikes.

Offi cial sourc es said farmers of Nars-

ingdi district have cultivated winter

vegetables on around 9500 hectares

land this season and are reaping a good

production of vegetables.

But the recent political mayhem

d i bl k d d l ik

Aman farmers counting loss asblockade continuesnOur Correspondent, Magura

The ongoing blockades being enforced

by the 18-party opposition combine

has raised concern among Aman paddy

farmers in Magura as they are count-

ing losses because of fall in the price of

Aman paddy.

Agriculture Extension Department

(DAE) Magura said a total of 54,425hectares of land was brought under

Aman cultivation in the district this

year yielding 150,213 metric tonnes

of rice.

A bumper production of Aman pad-

dy has been achieved in the district this

year, but the success has failed to bring

smile on the faces of Aman growers.

Aman paddy sold in the local mar-ket at tk950-1000 per maund in the last

month. The present price of the paddy

is Tk680-700 per maund.

When contacted, Noim Hosen, a

farmer of village Kullia under Magura

sadar upazila, said: Earlier we were

amused with bumper production and

high price of Aman paddy but ongoing

blockade has faded our smile.

Abu Reza a farmer of village Nori-

hati under Magura sadar upazila, said:

I have got Tk40, 000 from my paddy

sale but my production cost was about

Tk36, 000. Moreover, I had to pay Tk5,

000 as transport fare to take my paddy

to market because of blockade. I had to

count a loss of Tk1, 000.

Mokhlesur Rahamn, deputy direc-

tor of Magura DAE, said because of

the blockade Aman farmers are being

deprived of fair price. The price will go

up once the government procurement

starts.l

Sugarcane crushing

begins at MobarakganjSugar MillsnOur Correspondent, Jhenaidah

Mobarakganj Sugar Mills Limited un-

der Kaliganj upazila in Jhenidah, the

only state-owned sugar mill in the

south-western part of the country,

started its operation yesterday.

Sugarcane farmer Abdul Kader andan employee of the mill Tamij Uddin

jointly inaugurated the operation for

the fiscal 2013-14 at a ceremony.

The authorities of the mills has fixed

a target to produce 9,500 tonnes of sug-

ar by crushing 150,000 tonnes of sug-

arcane during 120 days of the current

crushing season.

The mill authorities said they had a

stock of sugarcane on a total of 8,000

hectares of land for crushing in the cur-

rent season.

Managing director of the mill, Del-

war Hossai n, and the se nior offi cials

were present at the programme.

Delwar Hossain admitted that 9,728

tonnes of sugar produced in the 2011-12

fiscal was still lying unsold at the stores

because of the higher rate compared to

other brands in the market.

Also, the farmers are counting heavy

losses as the mill is not being able to

pay them because of the loss incurred

during the previous fiscal.

Currently the mill is due to pay

around Tk100crore to different banksand stakeholders, he said.l

PGCB energises first400kV transmissionnAminur Rahman Rasel

Power Grid Company of Bangladesh

(PGCB) yesterday energised the coun-

trys first 400kV transmission line, rang-

ing from Meghnaghat to Aminbazar.

We have constructed a 55km-long

line, the longest in the country. Today

[Saturday] we have started energising it

and will continue to do so for the next

four months, Md Ainul Haque, chief

engineer at the PGCB and project direc-

tor of Meghnaghat-Aminbazar 400kV

Transmission Line told the Dhaka Tri-

bune yesterday.

The PGCB under the Power Develop-

ment Board was scheduled to complete

the project by June, this year, but was

delayed till this month.

On both Meghnaghat and Aminba-

zar ends, we have to build 400kV sub-

stations and till then we will not get the

benefit of this line. Currently, we have

two substations on the both end with

230kV and 132kV capacities which will

be used for transmission, acting man-

aging director of the PG

Alamgir Hossain told the

The construction of

tions will need three yea

The authority has acqui

construction, he said.

Project Director Ai

months would be spent

two ends of the 230kV s

ter that the line will be

mission. The project co

Tk597 crore, of which

Tk145 crore, Asian Dev

(ADB) gave Tk271 crorevided Tk181 crore.

The project include

of the 55km transmissi

quisition and developm

of land.

Another 400kV line

to Mongla and Anwara

will be constructed he

On the other hand, th

a 27km 400kV transmis

ready been completed to

import from neighbourin

Flower vendors and workers pass a busy time preparing garlands for the Victor y Day in the capitals Dhaka University area yesterday FOCUS BANGLA

7/22/2019 Dhaka Tribune print edition: December 15, 2013

6/26

But how did Rumana escaped

everyones notice?

Malalas prominence needs no

mentioning. In January this year,

Deutsche Welle said Malala may have

become the mos t famous teenag er in

the world. Yes, Malala somehow be-

came a cult igure.

She was also blessed with support-

ers who literally went crazy to make

sure that the yet-to-reach-adolescence

girl was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,

though it finally went to the OPCW (Or-

ganization for the Prohibition of Chem-

ical Weapons).

Both Rumana and Malala made

international headlines following at-

tacks on them. Nonetheless, its irk-

some that Malala continually managed

to be in the limelight while Rumanasstory petered out. Surprising? Not

at all. Rumana, compared to Malala,

didnt receive the least bit of activism

or campaigns that might have made

her a well-known figure. This is what

went wrong with Rumana but right

with Malala.Rumana didnt get UN Special Envoy

for Global Education Gordon Brown to

launch a petition under the slogan I

am Rumana to demand that violence

against women be stopped.

Time magazine didnt feature Ru-

mana as one of The 100 Most Influen-

tial People in the World. She didnt win

Simone de Beauvoir Prize, an interna-

tional human rights accolade for wom-

ens freedom. She wasnt invited to the

UN to call for worldwide eradication

of violence against women. The list

of what this Bangladeshi lady missed

could be very, very long.

Well, one can argue that Malala had

a message and hence rose to a high

standing by spreading that. But hey,

hang on a minute.

I hope other women and girls, in-

cluding my own daughter, can learnfrom the horrors I experienced at the

hands of my spouse, Rumana told The

Toronto Star.

When you belong to the privileged

class, you never think domestic vio-

lence can happen to you. I wasnt shar-

ing my problems, my marriage issues

or issues of domestic violence when I

was experiencing it.

I felt it was a shame for me, but Ididnt realize at that time that it is not

a shame for me, it is a shame for the

people who are doing it. That is the

most important message I want to tell

women who are experiencing it and

keeping silent.

Either it wasnt a message worth

spreading or it was missed. To me, the

second one is true.

From unnoticed to Daughter

of the Year

Nearly 15 months after the attack, a

rare honour was finally conferred upon

Rumana and it came following her

masters-level educational achieve-

ment. Canadas Citizens For A Civil

Society and Indo-Canadian Womens

Association jointly organized the first

ever Daughters Day in Edmonton onSeptember 1, 2012. And guess what? It

was Rumana who won the Daughter of

the Year award

The victor inspires thou

Women who have nev

violence will easily ig

story the way girls who

every day without any fe

will find no reason to pay

But for 87% of mar

Bangladesh who are su

lence by their husband

a recent survey of Bang

of Statistics), Rumana

an inspirational figure w

to win against all odds b

morale at the peak af

your vision for life.

And she could do more

Gordon Browns I Am

facilitated ratification of tand Compulsory Educat

stan. But Malala as a pe

stronger force on people

bill and thats the beauty

In Bangladesh, we h

tion of Repression again

Children (Amendment

the Domestic Violence

Protection) Act 2010. H

is missing here is embo

Im suggesting is that

lishing a handful of piec

cerning a Bangladeshi w

blinded in her homelanhonoured abroad for h

ments, Bangladeshi me

her in a way that will rai

violence against women

Such a step will do a

thing. Many argue tha

propaganda as there ar

others who found the

same situation like thi

but still remain unhear

called propaganda can

schooling for more girls

ly has done more good

by the same token, wh

Rumana propaganda, p

convey the message tha

life, theres hope to t

ladeshi women out of

eventually help bring d

violence against women

And how do we dmind, the I Am Ruma

be the first step.

Want a copy of I Am Ru

British journalist Chris

authored I Am Malala

Stood Up For Education

The Taliban which is th

of Malala. It was publish

tober 2013 and became t

But lets forget awhi

book is really worth r

saying is the book serv

as an essential tool t

Pakistani teenager. It

and spread her story ac

People who arent into

events can get the whMalalas journey once

book. Even prominent

nalist Hamid Mir obse

contains many good top

This is exactly that

Rumana, though it wil

bersome for a blind p

down her story But an

6 SpecialDHAKA TRIBUNE Sunday, December 15, 2013

Could Rumana Monzur be our Malala Yousafzai?

nMahmudul Islam

June 5, 2011: A 33-year-old lady is as-

saulted by her other half in Dhaka.

The attack by her husband not only

leaves the lady with a broken heart

but also robs her of eyesight, one of

the greatest gifts bestowed upon hu-

man beings. A month later, she flies

to Canada for treatment after Indian

doctors gave up only to learn thatthe damage will stay with her till she

breathes her last.

October 9, 2012: A 15-year-old girl

is shot in the head by members of afearsome outfit in Swat, of Pakistans

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The

assassination bid leaves the teenager

in critical condition, and she is flown

to England for better treatment. She

survives but the assault confounds her.

She never thought advocacy of girls

education would lead to such a ghastly

incident.

If youve identified the second indi-

vidual but are confused about the first,

you are probably not alone.

To understand how these two peo-

ple relate to one another, lets decode

the identities.

The second person is Malala

Yousafzai. The first one is Rumana

Monzur.

Does the name ring a bell?

Some of you may have forgotten her

partly or completely. Well, she is the

woman who used to teach Internation-al Relations at the University of Dhaka

and was blinded by her own husband

in a barbaric attack.

Rumana was pursuing a higher de-

gree at the University of British Colum-

bia (UBC) and was on a visit to Bangla-

desh at the time of the attack.

What was meant to be a pleasant

vacation for her eventually turned into

a nightmare, as the man who fathered

her only daughter bit off part of her

nose and inflicted permanent damage

on her eyes.

And all those acts were, according toRumana, provoked by jealousy.

Jealousy engulfed him the mo-

ment I decided to continue my studies

in Canada, Rumana said, though her

husband accused her of unfaithful-

ness.

Police arrested Rumanas husband

Hasan Sayeed after the attack and he

died in prison five months later. It was

said that the man had taken his own

Juxtaposition of Rumana and Malala

One may argue that both of them are

starkly dissimilar. On closer inspec-

tion, however, it is revealed that:

1. Both of them are exceedingly pas-

sionate about studies and education.

After the horrifying experiences they

were subjected to, they could have de-

cided to abandon studies and simply

get on with life. Instead, they refusedto give in to the situation, though it was

a bitter pill to swallow.

Malala resumed schooling in Eng-

land and said: Im excited that Iveachieved my dream of going back to

school.

On the other hand, Rumana victo-

riously returned to UBC to finish the

unfinished war. She was in her thirties

and said: I can feel the positive energy

of these young people at the university,

and that makes me happy. Studies are

my passion. I must pursue that.

2. Both of them are shining exam-

ples of German philologist and phi-

losopher Friedrich Nietzsches quota-

tion: What doesnt kill me, makes me

stronger.

Nothing changed in my life except

this: weakness, fear and hopelessness

died. Strength, power and courage was

born. This is what Malala said while

speaking at the UN this year.

Rumana expressed a similar feeling

as well when she said: Im stubborn

and told myself that after what Ivebeen through, nothing can be harder

than that. My husbands death wasntsignificant to me. My basic objective is

to try to live a meaningful life. I cant

stop because I became blind.

3. Both of them focus on solutions, not

problems. Rumana opines that dwell-

ing on what happened only leads to

questions without answers.

If I think about it, it just leads me

nowhere. It was the incident. I dont

want people to see me as a victim. I

want people to see me as a survivor.

This closely resembles Malalas view

who, in her UN address, said: I do not

even hate the Talib who shot me. Im

here to speak up for the right of edu-

cation for every child Books and pens

Imagine Sayeed, the guy with whom

Rumana dreamed of staying for the rest

of her life. As it turned out, this was the

guy who left her blind forever. Jewish American stand-up come-

dian and TV writer Cathy Ladman said

marriage is like a 5,000-piece jigsaw

puzzle. Rumana presumably compre-

hended the absolute profundity of the

statement.

But rather than saying that Im at

the end of my rope, a resilient Rumana

decided to bite off more than she could

chew, and thats what helped her reach

a far greater height than Malala.The dogged lady fought back and

flew to Canada to resume her studies.

But the fight took on a new dimension

as Rumanas ability to see was com-

pletely gone. So how can one study if

he cant see?

It was a tip of the iceberg to which

Rumana responded the skills that

come with adapting to blindness would

take care of themselves over time.

That conviction eventually proved

to be a triu mph over diffi cultie s. She

learned to read Braille as a last resort

and got used to adaptive technology toread and write.

Apart from learning how to use a

cane to navigate her way, she mastered

the skill of learning and memorizing

study materials by listening to record-

ed audio and at present, she is learning

law by listening at UBC.

She has many friends who read out

lessons to her. She also amazed her

professors, who acknowledge theyvenever seen someone adapt to changing

circumstances so fast.

But dont be tempted into thinking

that the entire journey was childs play.

It was all about leaving your mother-

land to settle in a foreign country after

being ripped a part mentally. It was all

about getting up and moving forward

after being turned upside down by

myriad tribulations. It was all about

learning how to live everyday with-

out the opportunity to see your own

daughter and parents.

Each moment, I miss seeing (mydaughter) and not only her, I miss seeing

people Rumana told The Toronto Star

I am Rumana

I dont want to stand in front of my daughter as a woman who is a

victim of assault. My battle is still on. And my only wish is to make

Anusheh say that her mother can do everything

For the 87% of married women in Bangladesh who ar

to violence by their husbands, Rumana will always be

inspirational figure

7/22/2019 Dhaka Tribune print edition: December 15, 2013

7/26

Diet tips for nausea in pregnancynDr Meherun Nessa

Nausea and vomiting

during pregnancy af-fect up to 80% of preg-

nant women. However

these symptoms often

disappear in the ma-

jority of women by the

20th week of gestation.

The cause of nausea and vomiting dur-

ing pregnancy remains unknown. Psy-

chological, gastrointestinal, infection

and hormonal factors are currently be-

ing investigated for the role they might

play. While there are no proven effec-

tive treatments for this, women with

mild symptoms may benefit from the

following dietary changes:

Eating small frequent meals that

are bland in taste and low in fat

Avoiding smells and textures that

cause nausea

Drinking cold liquids, such as lem-

onade

Eating salty and dry foods in the

morning, such as salted crackers

Ginger has been used since ancient

times for treating nausea and vomiting.Studies have shown that ginger is ef-

fective for nausea and vomiting during

pregnancy. Possible adverse reactions

to ginger during pregnancy have been

identified and scientific bodies around

the world provide different recommen-

dations on its usage.

However, there have been no pub-

lished reports of an increase in foetal

abnormalities associated with taking

ginger during pregnancy. At this stage,

it seems sensible to be cautious about

using concentrated ginger extracts dur-

ing pregnancy.l

The author is Associate Professor, Gynae and

Obs Department in Holy Family Red Crescent

Medical College Hospital, Dhaka.

Heart attack: Know what youre dealing withA heart attack is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenlyblocked. Lack of blood to the heart can seriously damage the heart muscles permanently

nDr Mohammad Sayem

Heart attack is also

known as MyocardialInfarction. When apart of heart muscle

loses its blood supply,

it starts to suffer injury.

Heart is supplied blood

by two arteries, which ultimately be-

come three vessels. When blood flow

through these vessels becomes ob-

structed, it leads to a heart attack.

The magnitude of damage depends

on the size of area that is supplied by

the blocked artery as well as the lapse

in time between injury and treatment.

After several weeks the heart muscle

heals by forming scar tissue and be-

comes weaker and will not pump as

much blood as it used to.

There are two mechanisms of

obstruction

1) Atherosclerosis-deposition of fat

rich particles inside the lumen

leading to gradual narrowing and

ultimately complete obstruction.2) Spasm a sudden and transient

narrowing of blood vessel despite

patent lumen. Former is the most

common process.

Symptoms

Most common symptom is chest pain,

which may radiate to jaw, neck, and

hand (more commonly left side). Some

triggering factors are physical exertion

(during but not after exertion), cold

exposure, heavy meal, intense emo-

tion. Changing position, resting or ly-

ing down does not alleviate the pain.

A heart attack may also occur without

causing chest pain; these are more

common in elderly persons and in dia-betics.

Other common symptoms are nau-

sea, vomiting, dizziness, breathingdiscomfort, restlessness, clammy and

sweaty with a feeling of terror that life

is coming to end, face seems gray.

Risk factorsThere are many risk factors, mentioned

below and their effects are multiplic a-

tive rather than additive.

Age: largest risk factor. More pre-

cisely men over 45 years and women

over 55 years are at particular risk. Sci-

entists from the University of Copen-

hagen found fat deposits near eyelid

and baldness, ear crease are associated

with increased risk.

Positive family history: It is said to

be present when first degree relatives

had this problem at relatively early ages.

Hypertension

High cholesterol levels in blood

Diabetes mellitus

Physical inactivity: it roughly dou-

bles the risk. Obesity

Alcohol

Diet: Diet deficient in fresh fruit,

vegetables, and polyunsaturated fat

are associated with increased risk.

Mediterranean style diet reduces the

chance.

Other than these work stress, social

deprivation, certain blood disorder and

personality traits are contributing fac-

tors.

Diagnostic tools

ECG: It is a device which records elec-

trical signal of heart, usually able to say

whether someone has had heart attack

or not.

Cardiac Enzyme test: Dying heart

muscle release some enzymes such as

Troponin, CKMB etc into blood, which

help to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

The faster the heart attack patient can

be treated, the more successful the

treatment will be. So it is of particular

importance to remember that the

patients survival largely depends

on how quickly he can be taken to a

hospital.

Treatments during a heart attack:

If patient stops breathing, they do

not move or respond, CPR should be

started straight away. CPR includes

30 chest compressions and mouth to

mouth breathing. Defibrillation is also

an option here.

Aspirin 300mg is given to heart at-

tack patients which helps to stop

the clot (obstruction). Thrombolytics: These agents dis-

solve blood clots but must be ad-vised after considering the contra-

indications.

Pain killers such as Morphine is

also used.

Treatments after heart attack

Most patients will require further treat-

ment to prevent the further episodes.

These medications include Aspirin and

other anti platelets, Beta blocker, ACE

inhibitors, Statins.

Surgery after heart attack

Depending on specific situation some

patients get benefit from this modality

of treatment.

Angioplasty: It opens up the coro-

nary arteries. In this procedure, a small

wire loop is introduced through arm or

groin and pushed till it reaches the clot

then the narrowed area is dilated by

mechanical means.CABG: Obstructed blood vessel is

by-passed with grafts taken from blood

vessels elsewhere in the body.

Recovery

It is a slow and gradual process. The

patients recovery will generally start

in hospital and then continue at home.

Physical activity is vital in a patient

with heart attack. They should remain

active, as it strengthens the heart. It is

advised to refrain from driving for at

least four weaks. One-fifth of patients

suffer from depression after the attack,

which should be shared with the doc-

tor immediately.l

Prescription DHAKA TRIBUNE Sunday, December 15, 2013

FOOD THERAPY

|Compiled by: Sh

Cracked he

Cracked heels or heel fiss

en during the winter. Peo

cracked heels as a sign of

care and hygiene. For ma

ance of cracks on the h

more than an embarrass

convenience. Fortunatel

cracked heels can be ea

sometime you need to c

tologist. The first step in t

heels is getting rid of the

ness in the skin. In orde

need to apply an oil-b

moisturiser on your dry

daily. For best results, y

your feet in some warm

15 to 20 minutes, to soft

get rid of the dead skin w

file or a pumice stone. Th

dry gently and apply the

the affected feet absorb

for about 15 minutes. Af

pair of thick socks and l

couple of hours or prefer

Use glycerin or petroleum

fore sleep. Always keep

However, it is best to co

tine regularly even after t

pear. l

Cough and of newborn

Newborns are particula

to winter viruses, as the

tems are immature and

develop. However, it is

keep your baby in a bu

if he or she has older sib

important thing you can

babys immunity is br

longer periods. But the

months are crucial as yo

ies pass to your baby v

milk, which helps their

to develop. Other thing

help include keeping y

from family members or

unwell, keeping your bab

ment where the tempera

and immunising them

intervals.l

QUICK TIPS

WOMENSHEALTH

LIFELINE

BIGSTOCK

Early lunch helps you shed weightnDr Abdullah Shahriar

If you are trying to lose

weight, its well and

good to watch what you

eat. But a new study

showed that keeping an

eye on the clock is just

as important as counting

those calories. Researchers found that

people who eat their main meal earlierin the day have a better chance of shed-

ding weight than those who eat later.

Late-lunchers did lose their weight sig-

nificantly in a slower rate Researchers

researchers found that timing of other

meals did not play a role in the success

of weight loss, suggesting the timing of

lunch was an important and indepen-dent factor in weight loss success. Late

eaters were also more likely to eat few-

er calories during breakfast or skip the

days first meal all together, and exhibit

risk factors for diabetes. This study

emphasises that the timing of food in-

take itself may play a significant role in

weight regulation. Novel therapeutic

strategies should incorporate not only

the caloric intake and macronutrient

distribution as it is classically done

Vegetables that protect skinfrom UV rays in winter

Ginger has been used sinceancient times for treatingnausea and vomiting. But oneneeds to be cautious aboutusing concentrated gingerextracts during pregnancy

DIET TIPS

nDr Sajol Ashfaq

Winter is the season of nutritious and deli-

cious vegetables. In winter farmers fields are

decorated with the vegetables of different

colour and the sky is painted with its eternal

blue. Due to cloudless sky in winter Ultra Vio-

let (UV) rays can directly touch our skin with-

out facing any filtering effect. Usually clouds

and humidity act as filters, weakens the UV

rays when they come down to the ground.

Cloudless sky and less humid environment

help reflect the Ultra Violet rays with stronger

level. UV rays always damage the skin, dark-

en its tone and makes the skin aged earlier.

In winter, the damaging effect of UV rays is

more. But the vegetables in winter have re-

ally a wonderful capacity to protect your skin

from UV rays. Here the few vegetables which

can do so.

Red bell peppers repairthe damage

Though it is not easily available but now red

bell pepper is grown in our country. A medi-

um-size red bell pepper provides more than

200 percent of the daily value of vitamin C.

Eating more vitamin C-rich foods may help

protect skin cells from the suns harmful UV

rays. Researchers suggested that vitamin C

can promote the repair of DNA thats been

damaged by UV rays l

Red tomatoesTomatoes specially red tomatoes are rich

in lycopene. Lycopene is a carotinoi